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Reed L. Russell

Partner

Areas Of Focus
Labor and EmploymentWage and HourEmployment Litigation

Reed Russell partners with clients to guide them through a wide range of employment matters, particularly complex EEO and wage and hour issues. As the former legal counsel of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Reed has the benefit of having viewed legal problems from a government enforcement and defense perspective – and brings that insight to clients’ legal concerns. Clients trust Reed’s diverse experience and insight as they navigate the fluid world of employment law.

Reed handles employment counseling and litigation for clients in a wide variety of sectors and industries. As employment laws evolve, Reed’s counseling keeps clients updated and gives them peace of mind in an area fraught with uncertainty. His counseling practice spans a variety of employment issues facing employers, especially wage and hour and equal employment opportunity law.

When litigation arises, Reed is a thoughtful and strategic advocate for his clients, helping them achieve resolution consistent with their goals and the risks presented. Clients value his willingness and ability to view the matters from both sides and give clear-eyed assessments of risks and opportunities. He represents employers in collective and class action litigation and other complex litigation matters. He also represents employers in single-plaintiff employment litigation and administrative proceedings, and provides advice on employment practices, including through policy audits and advice on statistical analyses.

Reed is a regular author and speaker on labor and employment issues and serves as the regional practice coordinator for the firm's labor and employment practice. In addition, he is a former major in the Army National Guard and a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Experience

  • Representation of a national tax preparation services company in collective and class wage and hour litigation and multiple spin-off single- and multi-plaintiff lawsuits in Florida.
  • Representation of a national blood testing lab in class and collective action wage and hour cases in two states as well as in single-plaintiff EEO litigation in Florida.
  • Representation of national medical services and equipment provider in collective action litigation in Florida.
  • Representation of multiple clients in single-plaintiff EEO lawsuits in federal courts in Florida and other states.
  • Representation of various clients in multiple proceedings before EEOC and state fair employment practices agencies in Florida and other states, including analyzing employment practices statistics to provide strategic advice.

Insights

Recognition

  • Employment Law - Management (2015-2025), Labor Law - Management (2016-2025), Litigation - Labor and Employment (2015-2025), The Best Lawyers in America
  • Florida Super Lawyers list, Super Lawyers (2015-2019, 2022-2024) 
  • Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business - Labor & Employment
  • Labor and Employment, Benchmark Litigation

Education

  • The Catholic University of America School of Law, J.D., summa cum laude, 1999
  • Wake Forest University, B.S., 1991

Credentials

  • Florida
  • Texas
  • District of Columbia
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas

Memberships and Affiliations

  • American Bar Association, Labor & Employment Law - FLSL Subcommittee and EEO Subcommittee
  • Florida Bar
  • District of Columbia Bar
  • State Bar of Texas
  • Hillsborough County Bar Association
  • Wage and Hour Defense Institute
  • The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers (Fellow)

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